Horticulturist

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin invites applications for a Horticulturist at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. The role involves assisting with daily operations, garden design, planting, irrigation, and plant maintenance within the center's living collections.

Qualifications include a Bachelor's Degree and at least three years of horticultural experience, with strong knowledge of plant materials and IPM. Proficiency with MS Word/Excel and a valid driver’s license are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Minimum of three years professional horticultural experience.
• Substantial knowledge of horticultural techniques, plant materials and pathologies.
• Experience with tools and equipment related to horticultural activities.
• Ability to maintain safety standards and provide guest services.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Basic computer skills (MS Word, Excel, email).
• Driver's license Class C (or ability to obtain) within 30 days.

Responsibilities

• Assist daily operations and maintenance of living collections and grounds.
• Design, install, and maintain garden areas; perform weeding, pruning, mulching, etc.
• Coordinate with horticulture staff and other teams; assist visitors and answer questions.

Skills

Horticultural knowledge

IPM

Safety awareness

Communication skills

MS Word / Excel

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Hand tools

Power equipment

Job description

Job Posting Title

Horticulturist

Hiring Department

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Position Open To

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours

40

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date

Immediately

Position Duration

Expected to Continue

Location

JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER

Job Details

General Notes

The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is committed to inspiring the conservation and cultivation of native plants through its gardens and programs. The Wildflower Center is the state botanic garden of Texas, a treasured Austin gem, and a national leader in the field of native plant education, gardening, sustainable landscapes, land restoration, plant conservation and research. It is home to the largest living collection of Texas native plants, welcomes 300,000 visitors annually, has over 18,000 member households and reaches more than 2 million people per year through its popular native plant database. The Center envisions thriving, native plant landscapes everywhere that nurture wildlife, uplift communities, and ensure ecological resilience for generations.

Wildflower Center staff are University of Texas at Austin employees receiving all associated benefits as well as an annual membership to the Center, discounts on Center classes, access to Wildflower Center events, and discounts at the Shop and Gallery. An inspiring, collaborative and beautiful work environment with outstanding coworkers awaits you.

Purpose

Assist the Horticulture team in the daily operations and maintenance of the living collections and grounds of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Horticulture department in the daily operations and maintenance of the living collections and grounds. Design, install, and maintain assigned garden areas. Raking, weeding, mowing, watering, mulching, pruning, and shaping. Bed preparation and construction and spot repair of paths. Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Safe and effective use of hand tools and light power equipment. Update plant identification signage. Removal of garden debris. Collect and process seeds. Use of powered carts as needed to accomplish work.
• Document and record plant species incorporated into collections/displays within assigned garden areas.
• Effectively coordinate and communicate with members of the horticulture staff and all other teams. Assist the public in answering questions relating to the Wildflower Center and horticulture while striving to ensure a positive visitor experience. Perform associated administrative duties.
• Irrigation - Inspect, maintain, and repair the irrigation system in the Wildflower Center gardens.
• Participate in education and events including media requests, classes, site tours, nursery operation, and special events.
• Work independently and unsupervised on scheduled weekends. Be proactive in team efforts to achieve team and Center goals. Provide leadership to others through example and sharing of knowledge and skills.
• Train, direct, and work with regular volunteers, community service volunteers, interns, and contractors daily to accomplish required tasks.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree.
• Minimum of three years professional horticultural experience.
• Must have substantial knowledge of horticultural techniques, plant materials and pathologies.
• Experience with tools and equipment related to horticultural activities.
• Ability to maintain safety standards in the workplace and provide guest services.
• Work well with and supervise various groups of people, be well organized, detail oriented, take direction well from supervisor, and have excellent communication skills.
• Basic computer skills (MS Word, Excel, email) required.
• Class "C" Operator's Driver's license, or the ability to acquire a valid Texas driver's license within 30 days of start date.
• First Aid certification, or the ability to acquire First Aid certification within 30 days of start date.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate. (High School Diploma or GED, and 7 years of horticultural experience will substitute for the Bachelor's degree and 3 years of horticultural experience.)

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of Texas native plants or ecological systems.
• Skill and willingness to make public presentations and conduct media interviews.
• Experience at Botanical or public gardens.
• Supervisory experience.
• Degree in Horticulture.

Driving Required

This job requires a class "C" operator's driver's license. The applicant selected must provide a current three year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver's license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident. Employees who are required to have a CDL are subject to drug and alcohol testing (pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, random, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing).

Salary Range

$45,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• Moderate physical activity (bending, lifting, pushing/pulling), stamina, and the ability to lift fifty pounds required.
• Must be able to work outside in all types of weather.
• Ability to maneuver in narrow or confined places around fragile plants required.

Work Shift

• Tuesday through Saturday, 7:30 am – 4:00 pm
• An occasional evening or weekend day may be required for mission-related events.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information (email and phone number); at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers:

You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers:

As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action.

The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and the University’s student data privacy laws, and any other required actions (including but not limited to cooperating with a Clery Act investigation or reporting, providing required information to law enforcement or campus security, or submitting a Clery reporting request).

If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting.

Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.